Reicher & Haslam

Question 0

What were the IV’s in the experiment?

Answer 0

• permeability of roles changing

Question 1

What was the main aim of the study?

Answer 1

To analyse the conditions that lead individuals to:
• identify with their group
• accept or challenge inter group inequalities

Question 2

What were the ethics of the study?

Answer 2

• participants clinical, medical & background screened & informed consent given
• paramedic on duty throughout
• security guards able to intervene

Question 3

What were the results of phase one?

Answer 3

• guards didn’t develop group identity
• until day 3 each prisoner tried to show the qualities that might lead to promotion
• after promotion, prisoners developed identity & as a group challenged the guards
• shift in power

Question 4

What were the results of phase 2?

Answer 4

• day 6 - prisoners break out of cell & occupy guards quarters, the regime of the guards has now ended
• participants decide to start a commune
• commune day 1 - dominant challengers violate commune rules
• commune day 2 - some participants plan to establish hierarchy
• study terminated day 8

Question 5

What were the conclusions of the study?

Answer 5

• tyranny is a product of group process and not individual deviancy
• it’s possible to design and run power social psychological research studies which are also ethical
• failing groups create problems for their own members as when people can’t crest social system they accept extreme solutions